MEMBERSHIP DRIVE STARTS JULY 1

The Montana Notary Guild kicked off it’s first annual membership drive on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Invitations to join the only community dedicated to and for Montana notaries public were sent to over 12,000 current notaries.

“Response to our organization has been extremely positive,” stated Lori Hamm, Executive Director. “Notaries appreciate having this resource.”

2025 Montana Law Change

HB165 eliminates the requirement for notarization of most motor vehicle titles. The bill passed both houses of the legislature with broad support. Only a few legislators expressed concern about the potential impacts of increased fraud and elder financial abuse as a result of this legislation, focusing instead on the “hassle” of getting titles notarized. The bill was sent to the governor on 3/31 and it is expected that he will sign it. We will provide updates on the effective date and how notaries are to handle requests for notarizations on existing titles. Watch for upcoming webinars about this new program and what notaries are expected to do going forward.

In-Person Classes

You asked for it - we deliver! The Montana Notary Guild will host several in-person classes around the state. For more information on times, dates, and locations, Visit the Classes page of this website. General Members receive a 20% discount on registration fees.

Affiliate Classes

Need to brush up on your skills? Our partner, the Montana Land Title Association Foundation, has created a fun course that puts theory into practice. If you find yourself struggling with the “how to do it” part of notarizing, this course is for you. The course is online and available 24/7. And it has been approved for 2 hours of continuing education credit by the Montana Secretary of State. Register here or visit the 406 Notary Academy page of the Montana Secretary of State’s website to sign up for this class.

The California League of Independent Notaries (CLIN) is proud to announce Lori Hamm as the recipient of its prestigious Master Notary Award for 2025. The award was presented on June 10 during a private ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Master Notary Award, established in 2021, is CLIN’s highest individual honor, recognizing exceptional contributions to the advancement of the notarial profession. Recipients embody integrity, leadership, and a commitment to service that elevates notaries public as essential guardians of trust in society.

Lori Hamm was selected by the CLIN Board of Directors in recognition of her two decades of service as the Notary Public Administrator for the State of Montana, her instrumental role in shaping remote online notarization (RON) policy, her leadership in developing notary education standards in Montana and nationally, and her long-standing service to the public as a notary public. She also serves as Executive Director of the Montana Notary Guild, an organization she helped found to further professional excellence among notaries.

“I am honored to have even been considered for this recognition, let alone be a recipient of the award,” said Lori Hamm upon accepting the honor."

CLIN President Matt Miller praised Hamm’s legacy, stating:

“Lori’s unwavering dedication to professionalizing the notary office, combined with her collaborative leadership across state lines, has had a profound and lasting impact. She exemplifies the values that the Master Notary Award represents—competence, integrity, and service.”

The California League of Independent Notaries encourages working notaries and industry supporters to join the League and help shape a stronger, more equitable future for notary professionals.

Notarizing the DS-3053 Form

The U.S. department of State has revised the form "Statement of Consent: U.S. Passport Issuance to a Child." This form is required when one or both parents or legal guardian(s) is unable to be present for a child’s passport application and must provide notarized consent. However, the latest version of the form presents challenges for notaries because it lacks a clear notarial act. The form indicates the parent must “swear under oath” - however the notarial wording states that the document was “executed” in the notary’s presence with no mention of the notary having administered the oath. Notaries have reported that the forms will be rejected if any changes are made to the wording on the form.

Bill Fritzlen from the U.S. Department of State confirmed that the Department is aware that the DS-3053 contains problematic notarial wording. He suggested that Montana notaries should attach a loose notarial certificate for a jurat instead of using the notarial section on the form. This approach ensures compliance with state law while still fulfilling the passport requirement.